The 1998 Micron PC Bowl had all the makings of an offensive showdown. NC State boasted one of the nation’s best receivers in All-American Torry Holt, and had beaten top-15 teams Florida State and Syracuse soundly earlier in the season. The Wolfpack’s opponent, Miami, had one of the nation’s top running backs in Edgerrin James and had ended the regular season by knocking UCLA out of the national championship picture.

Once the game started, however, the teams didn’t quite stick to the script, as the Wolfpack outrushed the Hurricanes and the Hurricanes had more passing yards. They did combine to roll up more than 1,000 yards of offense and score 69 points, a Micron PC Bowl record. James rushed for two touchdowns and Miami QB Scott Covington threw for two more to lead the Hurricanes to a 46-23 victory over the Wolfpack.

Miami got the fireworks started on it’s first possession, driving 71 yards in nine plays and taking a 7-0 lead when Covington floated a pass to Andre King in the left corner of the end zone. The Wolfpack answered with a 12-play, 84-yard march and tied it when Jamie Barnette barreled his way into the end zone for a one-yard score.

The Hurricanes retaliated by mounting another 71-yard drive, resulting in James’ five-yard run with 3:15 to go in the first quarter. Miami added to the lead on their next possession. After a field goal attempt from Pack kicker Danny Deskevich sailed wide right, his first miss of the season, Miami struck immediately when Covington fired a strike down the right side to Santana Moss, who had gotten behind the secondary and raced for a 80-yard score.

Deskevich redeemed himself when he split the uprights from 28 yards out with 1:37 to play in the half, but the Hurricanes quickly drove down the field, where James scored on a two-yarder that gave the Hurricanes a 27-10 halftime advantage.

The Hurricanes’ Andy Crosland started the third quarter with a 31-yard field goal to push the lead to 20 before the Wolfpack’s Rahshon Spikes scored on a 30-yard run for the Wolfpack just over five minutes later. Spikes, who carried 24 times for a Micron PC Bowl and NC State bowl record 176 yards, assumed the bulk of the Wolfpack’s ground game after Ray Robinson, the ACC rookie of the year, broke his arm early in the first half.

Miami put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter. James Jackson scored on a 13-yard run 27 seconds into the period and burst free for a 25-yard TD just 2:25 later.

Barnette, who finished the game 22-for-41 for 201 yards, hit Chris Coleman on a seven-yard score midway through the quarter for NC State before Miami booted a 29-yard field goal to complete the scoring.

Holt, who spent most of the night in double coverage, caught seven passes but for 92 yards, while Coleman racked up 98 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.